U.S. patent application number 09/515057 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-23 for method and apparatus for processing an image, and storage medium.
Invention is credited to Miyamoto, Noriaki, Watanabe, Kazuhiro.
Application Number | 20030197894 09/515057 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 13084908 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030197894 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miyamoto, Noriaki ; et
al. |
October 23, 2003 |
Method and apparatus for processing an image, and storage
medium
Abstract
An image processing method, an image processing apparatus, and a
storage medium are disclosed which allow the same layout and
editing process to be specified for different images in an easy
fashion. An image processing method, an image processing apparatus,
and a storage medium are also disclosed which allow a selection
condition to be input in an easy fashion thereby selecting desired
image information from plural pieces of image information. A layout
name is assigned to a set of editing processes performed on an
image or to an image selection condition and registered together.
Information can be used again by specifying a particular layout
name.
Inventors: |
Miyamoto, Noriaki;
(Yokohama-shi, JP) ; Watanabe, Kazuhiro; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FITZPATRICK CELLA HARPER & SCINTO
30 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA
NEW YORK
NY
10112
US
|
Family ID: |
13084908 |
Appl. No.: |
09/515057 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.18 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 15/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/1.18 |
International
Class: |
G06K 015/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 5, 1999 |
JP |
058455/1999 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:
specifying a plurality of editing processes to be performed on an
image; and registering said plurality of specified editing
processes as one set of editing processes; and identifying a set of
editing processes thereby determining a plurality of editing
processes to be performed on an image.
2. A method of processing an image, according to claim 1, wherein
an identifier indicating said one set of editing processes is
registered, and wherein said method further comprises the steps of:
displaying a plurality of registered identifiers in the form of a
list; and calling a set of editing processes corresponding to an
identifier selected from the list of said plurality of registered
identifiers.
3. A method of processing an image, according to claim 1, wherein
said plurality of specified editing processes are registered as
layout information.
4. A method of processing an image, according to claim 1, wherein
said plurality of editing processes include image rotation.
5. A method of processing an image, according to claim 1, wherein
said plurality of editing processes include image enlargement.
6. A method of processing an image, according to claim 1, wherein
said plurality of editing processes include image reduction.
7. A method of processing an image, according to claim 1, wherein
said plurality of editing processes include image brightness
adjustment.
8. A method of processing an image, according to claim 1, wherein
said plurality of editing processes include image contrast
adjustment.
9. A method of processing an image, according to claim 1, wherein
said plurality of editing processes include designation of an image
aspect ratio.
10. A method of processing an image, according to claim 1, wherein
said plurality of identified editing processes are performed upon
newly input image information.
11. A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:
identifying an editing process performed on an image; assigning an
identifier to said identified editing process and registering said
identifier assigned to the editing process; and calling an editing
process indicated by a specified identifier, and performing said
editing process upon another image which is different from the
previous image.
12. A method of processing an image, according to claim 11, wherein
when said editing process is registered, the image upon which said
editing process has been performed is not registered.
13. A method of processing an image, according to claim 11, wherein
said image is an image input by means of scanning using a
scanner.
14. A method of processing an image, according to claim 11, wherein
said image is an image photographed using a digital camera.
15. A method of processing an image, according to claim 11, wherein
said image is an image stored on a storage medium.
16. A method of processing an image, according to claim 11, wherein
said image is an image input by means of scanning using a film
scanner.
17. A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:
designating a selection condition from a plurality of image
information selection conditions which have been registered in
advance; detecting image information which meets said designated
selection condition from plural pieces of image information and
calling the detected image information; and outputting the called
image information.
18. A method of processing an image, according to claim 17, wherein
said selection condition is a condition based on the order of
storing said plural pieces of information.
19. A method of processing an image, according to claim 17, wherein
said selection condition is magnetic information stored such that
said magnetic information is linked to image information.
20. A method of processing an image, according to claim 17, further
comprising the steps of: displaying, in the form of a list, names
representing said selection conditions together with names
representing plural pieces of layout information which have been
registered in advance; and performing, upon an image, a process
corresponding to a name selected from the list of names.
21. An image processing apparatus comprising: specifying means for
specifying a plurality of editing processes to be performed on an
image; registration means for registering said plurality of
specified editing processes as one set of editing processes; and
determination means for determining a plurality of editing
processes to be performed on an image, by identifying a set of
editing processes.
22. An image processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
said registration means registers said one set of editing processes
together with an identifier indicating said one set of editing
process, and wherein said image processing apparatus further
comprises: list displaying means for displaying a plurality of
registered identifiers in the form of a list; and calling means for
calling a set of editing processes corresponding to an identifier
selected from the list of said plurality of registered
identifiers.
23. An image processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
said registration means registers said plurality of specified
editing processes as layout information.
24. An image processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
said plurality of editing processes include image rotation.
25. An image processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
said plurality of editing processes include image enlargement.
26. An image processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
said plurality of editing processes include image reduction.
27. An image processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
said plurality of editing processes include image brightness
adjustment.
28. An image processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
said plurality of editing processes include image contrast
adjustment.
29. An image processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
said plurality of editing processes include designation of an image
aspect ratio.
30. An image processing apparatus according to claim 21, further
comprising editing means for performing the plurality of editing
processes identified by said identification means upon newly input
image information.
31. An image processing apparatus comprising: editing process
identifying means for identifying an editing process performed on
an image; registration means for registering an editing processes
identified by said editing process identifying means together with
an identifier indicating said editing process; and editing means
for calling an editing process indicated by a specified identifier,
and performing said editing process upon another image which is
different from the previous image.
32. An image processing apparatus according to claim 31, wherein
when said registration means registers said editing process, said
registration means does not register the image upon which said
editing process has been performed.
33. An image processing apparatus according to claim 31, further
comprising a scanner for inputting said image by means of
scanning.
34. An image processing apparatus according to claim 31, wherein
said image is an image photographed using a digital camera.
35. An image processing apparatus according to claim 31, further
comprising image inputting means for inputting said image from a
storage medium.
36. An image processing apparatus according to claim 31, further
comprising a film scanner for inputting said image by means of
scanning.
37. An image processing apparatus comprising: designating means for
designating a selection condition from a plurality of image
information selection conditions which have been registered in
advance; image information calling means for detecting image
information, which meets the selection condition designated by said
designating means, from plural pieces of image information and
calling the detected image information; and outputting means for
outputting the image information called by said image information
calling means.
38. An image processing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein
said selection condition is a condition based on the order of
storing said plural pieces of information.
39. An image processing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein
said selection condition is magnetic information stored such that
said magnetic information is linked to image information.
40. An image processing apparatus according to claim 37, further
comprising: list displaying control means for controlling the
operation of displaying a list such that names representing said
selection conditions are displayed in the form of list together
with names representing plural pieces of layout information which
have been registered in advance; and control means for controlling
a process such that a process corresponding to a name selected from
the list of names is performed upon an image.
41. A computer readable storage medium on which a program is
stored, said program including: a control program for specifying a
plurality of editing processes to be performed on an image; a
control program for registering said plurality of specified editing
processes as one set of editing processes; and a control program
for determining a plurality of editing processes to be performed on
an image, by identifying a set of editing processes.
42. A storage medium according to claim 41, wherein said program
further includes: a control program for registering said one set of
editing processes together with an identifier identifying said one
set of editing processes; a control program for displaying a
plurality of registered identifiers in the form of a list; and a
control program for calling a set of editing processes
corresponding to an identifier selected from the list of said
plurality of registered identifiers.
43. A storage medium according to claim 41, wherein said program
further includes a control program for registering said plurality
of specified editing processes as layout information.
44. A storage medium according to claim 41, wherein said program
further includes a control program for performing said plurality of
determined editing processes upon newly input image
information.
45. A computer readable storage medium on which a program is
stored, said program including: a control program for identifying
an editing process performed on an image; a control program for
registering an identified editing processes together with an
identifier indicating said editing process; and a control program
for calling said editing process indicated by a specified
identifier, and performing said editing process upon another image
which is different from the previous image.
46. A storage medium according to claim 45, wherein said program
further includes a control program for controlling registration of
said editing process such that the image upon which said editing
process has been performed is not registered.
47. A computer readable storage medium on which a program is
stored, said program including: a control program for designating a
selection condition from a plurality of image information selection
conditions which have been registered in advance; a control program
for detecting image information, which meets the designated
selection condition, from plural pieces of image information and
calling the detected image information; and a control program for
outputting the called image information.
48. A storage medium according to claim 47, wherein said program
further includes: a control program for controlling the operation
of displaying a list such that names representing said selection
conditions are displayed in the form of list together with names
representing plural pieces of layout information which have been
registered in advance; and a control program for performing a
process corresponding to a name selected from the list of names
upon an image.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a method, apparatus, and
storage medium for processing an image, capable of performing a
desired editing process on an image.
[0003] The present invention also relates to a method, apparatus,
and storage medium which allow an editing process to be designated
in an easy fashion.
[0004] The present invention also relates to a method, apparatus,
and storage medium which allow desired image information to be
selected from a plurality of image information and laid out.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] In conventional techniques, an editing process performed on
a selected image is recorded together with the image information,
and it is impossible to record the editing process separately from
the image information.
[0007] When an image is selected from a plurality of images, a
selection condition has to be designated each time an image is
selected.
[0008] In the conventional techniques, when an image such as that
photographed by a user is pasted in a particular part of a template
prepared in advance such as a Christmas card or a New Year card,
and an editing process such as enlargement, reduction, movement,
rotation is performed upon the image, data representing the editing
process is stored in such a manner that the data is linked with
that image. Therefore, when another different image is pasted in
the same template, it is required to again designate the editing
process for the image.
[0009] That is, when the same editing process is performed on a
plurality of images, it is required to designate the editing
process as many times as there are images. This is very troublesome
for a user.
[0010] Furthermore, in the conventional techniques, when a
plurality of images are selected under the same selection
condition, it is required to input the same selection condition for
each image. This is also troublesome for a user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] According to an aspect of the present invention, to solve
the above problems, there is provided a method of processing an
image, comprising the steps of: specifying a plurality of editing
processes to be performed on an image; registering said plurality
of specified editing processes as one set of editing processes; and
identifying a set of editing processes thereby determining a
plurality of editing processes to be performed on an image.
[0012] Preferably, in this method according to the present
invention, an identifier indicating the one set of editing
processes is registered, and the method further comprises the steps
of displaying a plurality of registered identifiers in the form of
a list; and calling a set of editing processes corresponding to an
identifier selected from the list of the plurality of registered
identifiers.
[0013] Preferably, the plurality of specified editing processes are
registered as layout information.
[0014] The plurality of editing processes may include image
rotation.
[0015] The plurality of editing processes may include image
enlargement.
[0016] The plurality of editing processes may include image
reduction.
[0017] The plurality of editing processes may include image
brightness adjustment.
[0018] The plurality of editing processes may include image
contrast adjustment.
[0019] The plurality of editing processes may include designation
of an image aspect ratio.
[0020] The plurality of identified editing processes may be
performed upon newly input image information.
[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method of processing an image, comprising the steps
of: identifying an editing process performed on an image; assigning
an identifier to the identified editing process and registering the
identifier assigned to the editing process; and calling the editing
process indicated by a-specified identifier, and performing the
editing process upon another image which is different from the
previous image.
[0022] Preferably, in this method according to the present
invention, when the editing process is registered, the image upon
which the editing process has been performed is not registered.
[0023] The image may be an image input by means of scanning using a
scanner.
[0024] The image may be an image photographed using a digital
camera.
[0025] The image may be an image stored on a storage medium.
[0026] The image may be an image input by means of scanning using a
film scanner.
[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method of processing an image, comprising the steps
of: designating a selection condition from a plurality of image
information selection conditions which have been registered in
advance; detecting image information which meets the designated
selection condition from plural pieces of image information and
calling the detected image information; and outputting the called
image information.
[0028] In this method according to the present invention, said
selection condition is preferably a condition based on the order of
storing the plural pieces of information.
[0029] The selection condition may be magnetic information stored
in such a manner that image information is linked to the
corresponding image information.
[0030] The method may further include the steps of: displaying, in
the form of a list, names representing the selection conditions
together with names representing plural pieces of layout
information which have been registered in advance; and performing,
upon an image, a process corresponding to a name selected from the
list of names.
[0031] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters
designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures
thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain
the principles of the invention.
[0033] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of
an image processing apparatus according to the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a layout registration
process;
[0035] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a layout calling
process;
[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a main screen image;
[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a main screen image used to
perform a printer setting;
[0038] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a main screen image in
which an image selection condition is designated;
[0039] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of an editing screen
image;
[0040] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a registration screen
image;
[0041] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a magnetic information
list; and
[0042] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of an image-associated
information list.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0043] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of
an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.
In FIG. 1, an image inputting device 1 is, for example, a scanner
and serves as image inputting means for optically scanning and
inputting an image of a document. Instead of the scanner, a
removable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or an MO capable of
recording image data which can be input to the image processing
apparatus may also be employed as the image inputting device 1.
Alternatively, the image inputting device 1 may be a communication
interface for downloading image data from a terminal connected via
a communication line. Images in various forms may be input to the
image processing device 1. For example, an image recorded on a
recording medium such as paper may be optically scanned and input.
An image formed on a film may be input using a film scanner serving
as the image inputting device 1. An image in the form of a digital
image taken via a digital camera or the like may also be input.
[0044] An image display device 2, including a memory (ROM) 3, a
memory (RAM) 4, a microprocessor 5, and a display screen 6, serves
as image display means for displaying image data input via the
image inputting device 1. The memory 4 serves to store image data
input via the image inputting device 1. The memory 4 also serves as
a work memory for storing data produced during a process. The
memory 4 is also used to store registered data according to the
present invention. A control program for executing a process which
will be described later with reference to a flow chart may be
stored in either the memory 3 or the memory 4. In the case where
the control program is installed from a removable storage medium
(such as a CD-ROM, FD, and MO, not shown in FIG. 1) or downloaded
from another terminal connected via a communication line, the
control program is stored in the memory 4. The process according to
the present invention is executed under the control of the
microprocessor 5 in accordance with the control program stored in
the memory 3 or 4. The display screen 6 is realized by a CRT or a
liquid crystal display. The display screen 6 is used to display
various screen images thereby allowing a user to edit and register
image data and associated data. A cursor 8 is displayed on the
display screen 6 so that a desired coordinate on the display screen
6 can be designated by moving the cursor to a desired point on the
display screen 6.
[0045] As for the inputting means 7 for inputting various data, a
keyboard or the like for inputting characters and functions or
coordinate inputting means such as a mouse or a tablet may be
employed. The printer 9 serves as outputting means for outputting
data such as image data, graphic data, and strings produced on the
display screen 6. Specific examples of the printer 9 include an LBP
and an ink-jet printer. When an editing process such as movement,
rotation, enlargement, or reduction is performed upon an image
which is displayed on the display screen 6 after being input via
the image inputting device 1, a specific editing command is input
via the inputting means 7, and an editing process corresponding to
the editing command is executed by the microprocessor 5. The
resultant edited image is then output via the printer 9.
[0046] The present invention is not limited to a system which
includes all parts shown in FIG. 1, but the invention may also be
applied to a system in which some parts such as the image inputting
device 1 or the printer 9 are connected to other parts such as the
image display device 2 or the inputting means 7 via a network.
[0047] FIG. 4 illustrates a main screen image used to designate a
process according to the present invention, wherein the main screen
image is displayed in the form of a window on the display screen 6.
Images input via the image inputting means 1 are displayed in this
main screen image, and a desired image can be selected from the
images displayed. The operation of inputting an image via the image
inputting means 1 is started when an INPUT IMAGE button 14 is
clicked. When the INPUT IMAGE button 14 is clicked once, the image
inputting means 1 performs an image inputting operation once. In
the case where there are a plurality of images to be input, the
plurality of images can be input only by clicking the INPUT IMAGE
button 14 once. The input image(s) is (are) displayed on the main
screen. It is possible to determine which one of a plurality of
buttons displayed on the display screen is clicked, by comparing
the coordinates of a point which is designated via the inputting
means 7 (by clicking a mouse button or by tapping a tablet with a
pen) with coordinate information (stored in the memory 4)
representing the areas of the respective buttons. This technique is
also used to determine which one of buttons is clicked in other
screen images which will be described later. Instead of clicking a
button displayed on the screen, a command corresponding to the
button may be input via the keyboard or the like.
[0048] On the main screen, if a PRINT button 15 is clicked, a
currently selected image is printed via the printer 9. Herein, the
selected image refers to an image selected from a plurality of
images which are displayed in the form of thumbnail images
(reduced-size images) after being input via the image inputting
means 1 wherein selection may be performed by clicking a desired
thumbnail image 12 itself or a check box 13 of the desired
thumbnail image 12, using the inputting means. If a particular
thumbnail image 12 is selected, a selection mark is displayed in
the check box 13 to indicate that the image is selected. In the
example shown in FIG. 6, a mark {} is displayed in check boxes 13
of selected images so that the selected images can be discriminated
from non-selected images. In the image selection operation, the
selected state and the non-selected state are alternately switched
each time a thumbnail image 12 or a check box 13 is clicked, and
the status of the image is stored in the memory 4. The selected
image is displayed in a print image preview window 11. Herein, only
an image to be printed on one sheet of paper is displayed in the
pint image preview window. If a preview page designation button 16
is clicked, the preview image is switched to a previous or
following image. Numeric values are displayed at a side of the
preview page designation button 16 to indicate the total number of
pages on which selected images are to be printed and indicate which
page is currently displayed in the print image preview window 11.
In the specific example shown in FIG. 4, the numeric values
indicate that there are four pages in total and the first page is
currently displayed in the print image preview window 11. Note that
no image is selected and thus no image is displayed in the print
image preview window 11 in the specific example shown in FIG.
4.
[0049] In a printing condition setting box 10, a layout selected
from a plurality of layouts registered in advance in the memory 4
is displayed. If an inverted triangle button in the printing
condition setting box 10 is clicked via the inputting means 7,
names of layouts which can be selected in the printing condition
setting box 10 are read from the memory 4 and displayed in the form
of a pull-down menu. An example of the pull-down menu is shown in
FIG. 5. In this specific example, the names of nine selectable
layouts are displayed. If a desired layout name is selected from
the pull-down menu, layout information corresponding to the
selected layout name is read from the memory 4, and setting of the
selected image is performed in accordance with the layout
information. The print image preview window 11 displays images to
be laid on one sheet of paper. However, when no image is selected
yet, the print image preview window 11 displays, as shown in FIG.
4, only an image layout frame corresponding to the layout name
displayed in the printing condition setting box 10, in accordance
with layout information. In the specific example shown in FIG. 6,
the selected layout includes one image to be printed on one sheet.
Each time a layout is selected in the printing condition setting
box 10, the frame displayed in the print image preview window 11 is
updated.
[0050] When an image is selected, the selected image is displayed
in the print image preview window 11 in accordance with a layout
corresponding to a layout name displayed in the printing condition
setting box 10. That is, the selected image is displayed within the
frame which is displayed when no image is selected.
[0051] An image may also be selected as follows. A mouse button is
pressed when a desired thumbnail image is pointed to by a cursor.
The cursor is then moved into the print image preview window 11
while maintaining the mouse button in the pressed state. After
that, if the mouse button is released, the image, which was pointed
to by the cursor when the mouse button was pressed, is displayed in
the print image preview window 11. FIG. 6 illustrates an example of
the print image preview window 11 in which an image selected by the
above-described image selection operation is displayed.
[0052] Instead of selecting an image from those displayed in the
form of thumbnail images, an image may also be selected by
designating, via the printing condition setting box 10, a layout
name including an image selection condition. In the example in FIG.
6, a layout including an image selection condition "first four
shots" is selected in the printing condition setting box 10, and,
as a result, first four shots of images are selected from the
thumbnail images 12 wherein the selection mark is displayed in the
check box of each thumbnail image selected.
[0053] In a specific case where an image is selected in the
printing condition setting box 10 by selecting a layout including
magnetic information "APS panorama" as the image selection
condition from the pull-down menu shown in FIG. 5, magnetic
information is examined for all thumbnail images displayed, and
images which meet the designated selection condition (images
photographed in the form of APS panorama, in this example) are
selected. Magnetic information is stored together with image data
into the memory 4 when an image is input via the image inputting
means 1.
[0054] A description is now given as to the process of registering
a desired layout so that the registered layout will be displayed in
the pull-down menu of the printing condition setting window 10 such
as that shown in FIG. 5. In this layout registration process, a
user inputs information via the inputting means 7, and the input
information is stored in the memory 4. FIG. 2 is a flow chart
illustrating the layout registration process.
[0055] A layout to be registered is designated as follows. First,
the edit screen (FIG. 7) for editing an image is displayed by
clicking the EDIT button 17 on the main screen. In the next step of
the layout registration, a paper type is selected, and then an
image frame is laid and edited on the edit screen shown in FIG. 7.
Then on the registration screen shown in FIG. 8, an image selection
condition and a layout name are set and registered.
[0056] In FIG. 7, a desired paper size (A4, B5, etc.) and a paper
direction (vertical or horizontal direction) are designated using a
paper type selection box 32. In the paper type selection box 32,
information in terms of combinations of available paper sizes and
paper directions is read from the memory 4 and displayed in the
form of a pull-down menu so that a user can select a paper size and
a paper direction from the pull-down menu using the inputting means
7. If a paper type is selected in the paper type selection box 32,
a frame representing the selected paper size and direction is
displayed in a print preview window 31. Then an image is laid and
edited within the paper frame displayed in the print preview window
31.
[0057] More specifically, an image frame is laid in the paper frame
and edited. The image frame may be laid by defining the image frame
within the paper frame using the inputting means 7 such as a mouse.
Still alternatively, an image frame may be laid using a layout
which has already been registered. In this case, if a desired
layout is selected using a layout selection box 33, then an image
frame corresponding to the selected layout is displayed in the
print preview window 31. The layout names displayed in the layout
selection box 33 are the same as those which are stored in the
memory 4 and displayed in the pull-down menu shown in FIG. 5.
However, what can be here on the edit screen is to lay an image
frame and edit it, but an associated image selection condition is
set on another screen which will be described later. Therefore,
layout names which include only image selection conditions may not
be displayed in the layout selection box.
[0058] If a layout name is selected in the layout selection box 33,
layout information corresponding to the selected layout name is
read from the memory 4, and an image frame representing the
selected layout is displayed in the print preview window 31. Thus,
a user can now start editing the frame displayed.
[0059] Edition of the frame may be performed by designating one of
various buttons displayed in the editing command window 34 via the
inputting means 7. If an editing command button is selected, an
editing process corresponding to the selected button is performed
on the frame displayed in the print preview window 31. Information
representing the type of the editing process performed is stored in
the memory 4. In the case where the layout includes a plurality of
images to be printed on one sheet of paper, images to be edited and
editing processes performed upon the images may be designated by
first selecting images to be edited and then designating the types
of editing processes. More specifically, when the type of an
editing process is input, an image which is in a selected state is
detected, and data indicating the correspondence between the image
in the selected state and the type of the editing process is stored
in the memory 4. The types of available editing processes may
include generation of an image frame, designation of the aspect
ratio of an image, trimming of an image in a designated area, 90
{degree} rotation of an image in a clockwise direction, 90 {degree}
rotation of an image in a counterclockwise direction, enlargement
of an image by a factor selected from predetermined values
represented in percent, reduction of an image by a factor selected
from predetermined values represented in percent, mirror-image
inversion; brightness adjustment, and contrast adjustment. The
editing command window 34 may also include auxiliary editing
commands such as an all selection command for selecting all images
displayed in the print preview window 31, a cancel command for
canceling an issued editing command, and an image deleting command
for deleting a designated image in the print preview window
31.S
[0060] The print preview window 31 may be designed such that an
edit process may be performed for an image frame, or such that an
image, selected by designating a thumbnail image displayed in the
thumbnail image window 35, may be displayed in the print preview
window 31 thereby allowing a user to edit the image which is
displayed in a more realistic fashion. Herein, the thumbnail images
36 displayed in the thumbnail image window 35 are the same as those
which were displayed on the main screen when the EDIT button 17 was
clicked.
[0061] If a detail setting button 30 is clicked after completion of
the editing process, the registration screen (FIG. 8) is displayed
on the display screen 6 so that a user can register the layout
(S1). The layout which has been edited and processed on the edit
screen by the user is displayed in a layout preview window 43 in
the layout registration screen so that the user can confirm that
the correct layout is going to be registered (S2). At this stage,
the registration screen may accept a command input via a printer
setup list 19, a new layout name box 40, a magnetic information box
41, or an image-associated information box 42. An example of the
magnetic information list displayed, in the form of a pull-down
menu, in the magnetic information box 41 is shown in FIG. 9.
Information associated with these commands in the list is stored in
advance in the memory 4 so that, when an inverted triangular button
of the magnetic information box 41 is clicked, information is read
from the memory 4 and the pull-down menu is displayed. If a
magnetic information command is selected from the list via the
inputting means 7, the selected command is displayed in the
magnetic information box 41.
[0062] An example of an image-associated information list displayed
in the form of a pull-down menu in the image-associated information
box 42 is shown in FIG. 10. Information associated with these
commands in the list is stored in advance in the memory 4 so that,
when an inverted triangular button of the image-associated
information box 42 is clicked, information is read from the memory
4 and the pull-down menu is displayed. If an image-associated
information command is selected from the list via the inputting
means 7, the selected command is displayed in the image-associated
information box 42. Herein, the image-associated information refers
to a selection condition specifying a condition under which an
image is selected. For example, when "all images" is selected as
the image-associated information, all images which have been input
via the image inputting means 1 and which are currently displayed
in the form of thumbnail images are selected, laid, and output. If
"every second image" is selected as the image-associated
information, every second image, that is, the first image, the
third image, the fifth image and so on are selected from the
images, which have been input via the image inputting means 1 and
which are now displayed in the form of thumbnail images. The
selected images are then laid and output.
[0063] If a RECORD button 44 is clicked (S4), the layout indicating
the location of an image displayed in the layout preview window 43
and also indicating the associated edit process, the printing
condition setting information displayed in the print condition
setting list box 19, the picture size information displayed in the
picture size box, the paper selection information displayed in the
paper type selection box, the number-of-images information
displayed in the number-of-images box, the magnetic information
displayed in the magnetic information box 41, and the
image-associated information displayed in the image-associated
information box 42 are stored in the memory 4 together with the
layout name displayed in the new layout name box 40 in such a
manner that the above layout information is linked to the layout
name (S5). Even in the case where layout information to be
registered in the memory 4 is selected in the preview window
displaying an image, only the type of an edit process and
associated parameters (such as an enlargement ratio or a reduction
ratio) are registered without registering the image itself. The
layout name serves as an identifier which is used when the
above-described information is called. The layout name may be
defined by a string of characters or numerals input via a keyboard
or a soft key. If the DELETE button 45 is clicked, information
stored in the memory 4 via the registration screen (FIG. 8) in
respective registration operations is entirely deleted, and the
process returns to the edit screen (FIG. 7). When the CANCEL button
is clicked, information which has been newly input via the
registration screen (FIG. 8) and stored in the memory 4 is deleted,
and the process returns to the edit screen (FIG. 7).
[0064] In the case where an existing layout is edited instead of
registering a new layout, layout information corresponding to a
designated layout name is called onto the edit screen (FIG. 7) and
edited on the edit screen and the registration screen. If the OK
button 46 is clicked after completion of the editing process, the
layout information is updated to new layout information. In this
case, the layout name of the layout called on the edit screen is
displayed in the new layout name box 40. If, in this state, the OK
button 46 is clicked, items of layout information stored in the
memory 4 are updated to those which have been newly input or
changed.
[0065] The process of calling an existing layout is described below
with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 3. If a layout name
is selected in the printing condition setting box 10 on the main
screen (FIG. 6), the layout information corresponding to the layout
name is read from the memory 4, and the frame representing the
layout is displayed in the print preview window 11 (S21) so that a
user can confirm that the correct layout has been called. In the
case where the selected layout includes an image selection
condition, an image is selected in accordance with the image
selection condition. Conversely, if the selected layout does not
include an image selection condition, an operation of selecting an
image may be accepted (S22). If an image is selected by a user in
step S23, the process goes to step S24. In step S24, the image
selected in step S22 or S23 is displayed in the print preview
window 11. Herein, when the selected image is displayed in the
print preview window 11, the image is displayed in accordance with
the layout which is read from the memory 4 in accordance with the
selected layout name. If the PRINT button 15 is clicked (S25),
print data is produced in accordance with the layout displayed in
the print preview window 11 and printed via the printer 9.
[0066] As can be understood from the above description, the present
embodiment has the following advantages. In an image printing
application, when a user can edit an image in terms of the image
frame layout, the size of the image, the inclination angle of the
image, the location, the cut-out area, the mirror-image formation,
and so on and register them in the form of a template. After that,
the same layout can be called and another different image can be
attached to the layout. This allows a user to perform a set of
editing processes upon an image and to attach the edited image to a
page, simply by selecting an image. Furthermore, it is not required
to repeat an operation to specify the same edit process, and thus
it becomes possible to perform the correct edit process without
resulting in a miss operation.
[0067] Furthermore, a plurality of selection conditions based on
magnetic information representing the data, time, exposure
condition, focal length, the aspect ratio, etc., used for example
in an APS film, or based on the order of recording image
information are registered so that an image (images) can be easily
selected simply by specifying a desired selection condition from
the plurality of selection conditions.
* * * * *